September has begun. And with it, a new season of climate campaigning kicks off. We’ve got a host of activities, events and actions lined up to ensure that the Government holds to its Programme for Government promises and delivers the faster and fairer climate action we so urgently need. And crucially that it passes the legislation required to make that action a legal requirement!

We saw the power of legislation to hold the Government to account in August when the Supreme Court struck down the Government’s hopelessly inadequate 2017 climate action plan because it didn’t comply with the provisions of the 2015 Climate Action Act. That 2015 law was the result of 8 years of campaigning by the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition.

Now, at our urging, the Government parties have promised to publish a new, stronger climate law within the first 100 days of their administration, by 5th October. We’ll be pushing them every step of the way to ensure they follow through. We’ll also be running a series of webinars to delve into these issues. First up is a webinar to examine that Supreme Court judgement from August - and what it means for climate action in Ireland.

Register for the webinar

This first webinar in our autumn series will take place on 9th September at 5pm Irish Time (please ignore the time zone on the registration page!)

We are delighted to be joined by Dr. Andrew Jackson on behalf of the Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) legal team for a unique opportunity to tease out the implications of this landmark judgement. We will also be joined by Sadhbh O’Neill, Stop Climate Chaos policy advisor, who helped to launch the climate case campaign in 2018 as FIE's campaign coordinator.

Did you know that Ireland is one of only two countries - the other one being the Netherlands to see a successful challenge to government climate policy in the courts? The fact that seven Supreme Court judges unanimously found that the 2017 National Mitigation Plan had serious shortcomings makes it all the more significant. The webinar will examine the groundbreaking nature of this case  - and provide a fascinating insight into how it was successfully argued. We hope to see you there. 

Register for the webinar on 9th September

Conflict is inevitable - what matters is how we deal with it. It is increasingly clear how important it is for as many people as possible within grassroots environmental campaigns to have knowledge and experience of de-escalation and conflict resolution.

This workshop will act as an introduction to non-violent communication and de-escalation tactics for protest situations. It will also be an opportunity for activists to share any skills or techniques they have found especially useful. It will be aimed at Extinction Rebellion's Week of Rebellion in October and will provide valuable knowledge for anyone wishing to have an active role in the week.

The event will take place in Dublin city center, location TBC.
Training is limited to 30 participants, please confirm your place through Action Network. Feel free to message if you have any questions or accessibility requirements

Register here:

https://actionnetwork.org/events/intersectionality-and-climate-justice-workshop

"Our activism will be intersectional or it will be bullsh*t". This workshop aims to bring the topic of intersectionality to the forefront of climate movements, and to educate and empower activists. We hope to use this workshop to bring people together and collectively broaden our understandings.

This worshop will be run by members of Extinction Rebellion Youth and is funded and supported by Friends of the Earth through The Wheel's Training Links project.

Location is TBC, register to be kept informed.

Gas is a fossil fuel. The narrative around gas being a 'bridge fuel' is simply dangerous and needs to be debunked once and for all. Learn all about the issue, taking action and showing solidarity this October with this exciting webinar programme with the Gastivists Collective!

9th October 12-1pm CEST/ Exciting gas allies : plastic, agriculture, transport & extractivism

If we are to win the fight against gas, we need to stop its extraction *and* rethink all of its end-uses : transport, agricultural fertilisers, plastics and power generation.

For who? People who work/campaign on these topics and want to better understand how and why we can work more closely together

Register

Registration is compulsory by following this link (http://bit.do/gaswebinar).

You can register for all, or only one single webinar.

We will send you an email with the logistical details on how to join and a reminder a week before the webinar.

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Affinity groups are people taking non-violet direction action together. Learn how to build one and take action together on climate change.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/affinity-group-formation-and-de-escalation-training-tickets-71481644523?aff=ebapi

About this Event

Part of our training weekend in Cloughjordan, this workshop covers action roles, affinity group formation, de-escalation techniques and lots more.

This event is partly supported by the Wheel's Training Links grant managed and implemented by Friends of the Earth.

Zooming to Zero Pollution

Join Ireland’s biggest online TD Lobby for Faster and Fairer Climate Action!

Talking to your TDs is a powerful way to act on the climate crisis and right now there is so much to talk about.

If 1000+ people across Ireland meet their TDs online it will have a serious effect on how our government acts on climate. So, are you up for it?

You'll be supported by Stop Climate Chaos and people in your local area. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to turn up!

How does it work?

1. Register for the TD Lobby by clicking here or by filling out the form at the bottom of this page. This will let you receive a Zoom link that you can use to join the lobby on the day.

2. Check what timeslots have been organised for meetings with your own TDs on 7th December by visiting the timetable. The timetable is being updated as meetings with TDs are arranged - so keep a check on it between now and Monday 7th. You can use the same Zoom link for each meeting you have with your different TDs - everyone who registers for the lobby will be sent that Zoom link.

3. If you've time, you might like to read our briefing for Lobby partipants. But this is NOT essential! The main thing is that you show up on 7th - you don't need to be an expert!

4. Log onto the Zoom call at the right time(s) on December 7th to join the people in your constituency and your TD.

5. Celebrate the lobby's success by joining an online rally at 7pm on Lobby day! We want to get hundreds of people on Zoom for a few minutes at the same time - to show how many people from across Ireland care about climate action! Let's make the rally colourful! Bring your own homemade mini banner or sign with your constituency name that you can hold up in front of your screen. You could wear your county colours or a local jersey if you have one! You can use the same Zoom link to join that you used for talking to your TDs. 

Climate change is here. The time for action is now. But governments are still pushing fossil gas. Why? And what can we do about it?

We now know that fossil gas is just as lethal for our world as oil or coal. But governments across Europe want more investment in fossil gas projects such as the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, the MidCat pipeline in Spain and France, and Ireland’s Shannon LNG. Why is fossil gas still being termed a cleaner ‘transition fuel’? And how do we respond?

This June, leading environmental campaigner Andy Gheorghiu comes to Ireland to talk about how we can transition without this dangerous ‘transition fuel’, adapt to change and develop resilience, locally and globally. Andy has been leading the campaign against the proposed building of Shannon LNG, a processing plant for imported fracked gas in the Shannon Estuary.

Andy brings the latest science, thought leadership and strategies for action. This is what changes means in 2018.Expect contributions from guest speakers and local group Not Here, Not Anywhere, refreshments and lively discussion at this unmissable talk.

FaceBook event here.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/exploring-community-work-and-human-rights-approaches-to-climate-action-registration-71802767009

Ireland has declared a climate and biodiversity emergency.

Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, the new strategy to support the community and voluntary sectors in Ireland, includes an objective to support community development and local development to engage with Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies.

There is an increasing awareness of the importance of awareness and action at community level.

Join us to explore community work and human rights approaches to Climate Action.

Speakers will include:

1. John Sweeney, Emeritus Professor of Geography, Maynooth University, and international expert on Climate Change
2. Anastasia Crickely, Human Rights, the Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Action
3. Paul Geraghty, Department of Rural and Community Development
4. Ann Irwin, Community Work Ireland

The seminar will be followed by the CWI Annual General Meeting.

The seminar is free of charge but places are limited and early registration is advised.

Participation Welcome!

Join grassroots environmental campaigning group Not Here Not Anywhere as they join up with Stop Climate Chaos, People Before Profit & Friends of the Earth on Bull Island on Sunday July 1st to take action to protect our climate and our future!

Where are we on climate issues in Ireland?

Our government is failing us. Latest projections by the Environmental Protection Agency indicate that Ireland will miss its 2020 climate targets set under the Paris Agreement by an astonishing margin, with greenhouse gas emissions set to fall by only 1% (compared to the target of 20%). Just this week, we saw that Ireland is second last in European ratings of climate action and ambition. Meanwhile, the last three years were the warmest on record and extreme weather events are getting worse, yet the Irish government is still allowing companies to explore for toxic fossil fuels like oil and gas in Irish waters.*

The good news is, there's something we can do about it.

Join us for a family friendly morning beginning at the Wooden Bridge in Clontarf, between 10am and 10:30am on Sunday July 1st, with some coffee and an introduction from some of the people involved in taking action to reduce the onslaught of climate change . After coffee, we'll head over to take a photo with the huge banner you can see at the top of this e-mail! Afterwards, there will be a nature walk in the Bull Island nature reserve, followed by a picnic nearby. Some nibbles will be provided but you're encouraged to bring your own food.

Check out the FaceBook event here, or on our website if you are not on FaceBook.

Why is this happening now?

There is a climate-protecting bill currently in the Dáil, and it needs public support if it is to pass the next stage. The Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill, also called the Climate Emergency Measures Bill will on July 3rd by heard by the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & the Environment . Earlier this year, in the face of government opposition, people power propelled this Bill to this Committee stage in the Dáil, where it needs to be passed in order to progress to the next stage. If passed, the Climate Emergency Measures Bill will ban the issuing of any new oil and gas exploration licences off the Irish coast. This would be a much-needed turning of the tide for climate action in Ireland, and a victory for the common good over the self-interest of the few. 

On July 1st there will be a banner drop on the Wooden Bridge where long-range photos will be taken and sent to the press. For more information please contact nothere.notanywhere@gmail.com.

*You can read more about the campaign here.

Hoping you can join us on July 1st.

Register here:

https://actionnetwork.org/events/workshop-facilitation-training

The All-Ireland Student Activist Network is holding a training on the art of facilitation!

This session will focus specifically on workshop facilitation and exercises for imparting knowledge and creating a learning space, but there's lots relevant to meeting facilitation also.

A grassroots movement needs to be able to empower its members and build capacity, fun, engaging and well-pitched workshops are the way to make it happen.

Please fill in this form to help us plan the workshop content!

This project is supported by funding from The Wheel and managed by Friends of the Earth

Register here:

https://actionnetwork.org/events/emotional-resilience-toolkit-for-student-activists

This workshop will provide attendees with a range of useful tools and practices to support them in developing greater resilience against eco-anxiety, grief and the range of feelings that accompany climate activist work. This work has been developed by a collective of psychotherapists in the US is designed to provide resources to support those who feel sometimes overwhelmed by the climate crisis

The day will include much opportunity for discussion and exercises, and a review of practices designed to help build emotional resilience, promote self care and make room for the safe expression of eco-grief and anxiety.

If you have any queries and wish to speak to me in advance please don't hesitate to contact me - grainne.carr@gmail.com

I look forward to supporting Student Activists who attend this training in developing a life enhancing understanding of this skill set.

Please bring this consent form, printed and signed if you are under 18 for child protection purposes.

Dublin Friends of the Earth is delighted to invite you to a talk next Wednesday 11th September at 7pm sharp.

Title: Earth in Crisis - Humanity at a Crossroads.

The main speaker will be Fergal Costello (DFoE), who will give an illustrated talk on climate change plus ecological degradation and what we can do about it. We will also have valuable contributions from a student climate activist as well as Aine O'Gorman from Stop Climate Chaos.

Venue: The Teachers' Club, 36 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1.

Don't miss it - a definite date for your diary in advance of the big climate protest in Dublin on 20th September!

Register here:

https://actionnetwork.org/events/creative-actions-training

All day mixed media workshop beginning with a critical look at effective creative actions and their impacts from a range of environmental and other campaigns.This will be a fun, informative, hands-on workshop. No prior creative experience needed.Materials will be provided but participants are welcome to bring along something you’d like to use or share. Facilitating the workshop will be Éilís Murphy and Siobhán Clancy.

Éilís Murphy is a visual artist who works with a variety of media - participatory events, installation-based pieces, photographs, projections, book art, collage and stop motion animation - usually in a community-based context. She is also a founding member of the Abortion Rights Campaign and has developed numerous actions, workshops and participatory arts experiences with the ARC Creative Actions Group.

Siobhán Clancy is a visual artist concerned with social health. Her practice is located in institutional, civic and cultural spaces. She often collaborates with other artists, activists, youth, community and wom*n’s groups. The outcomes typically materialise as multi-media works, immersive events, participatory performances, dialogues, play and live action in contexts of health, education and justice. She is a founding member of the Abortion Rights Campaign and has developed numerous actions, workshops, presentations, participatory arts experiences and events for with the ARC Creative Actions Working Group. In 2019, Siobhán established 'wHere is Our Feminist Library?' a public engagement project that collaborates with feminist initiatives to produce bespoke programmes. Siobhán is the first Green Artist in Residence at Cork University Hospital, the only hospital in the world to achieve Green Flag status.

This is supported by Friends of the Earth and coordinated by Undercurrent Training Collective.

Climate change is here. The time for action is now. But governments are still pushing fossil gas. Why? And what can we do about it?

We now know that fossil gas is just as lethal for our world as oil or coal. But governments across Europe want more investment in fossil gas projects such as the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, the MidCat pipeline in Spain and France, and Ireland’s Shannon LNG. Why is fossil gas still being termed a cleaner ‘transition fuel’? And how do we respond?

This June, leading environmental campaigner Andy Gheorghiu comes to Ireland to talk about how we can transition without this dangerous ‘transition fuel’, adapt to change and develop resilience, locally and globally. Andy has been leading the campaign against the proposed building of Shannon LNG, a processing plant for imported fracked gas in the Shannon Estuary.

Andy brings the latest science, thought leadership and strategies for action. This is what changes means in 2018.Expect contributions from guest speakers and local group Not Here, Not Anywhere, refreshments and lively discussion at this unmissable talk.

FaceBook event here.

The Climate Bill launched on Wednesday 7th October is the starting gun for the race of a lifetime to eliminate pollution but is it everything we were looking for?

Join Sadhbh O'Neill and Oisín Coghlan of Stop Climate Chaos, Emeritus Professor John Sweeney and Dr Diarmuid Torney to tease out what this bill means for achieving Ireland's climate commitments. What's good and what parts need to be stronger?

And what do we collectively do now?

Register for the webinar here or using the form below. 

See you on Monday!

This workshop will cover non-violence, civil disobedience, de-escalation, protest and the law, action planning and direct action.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/nvda-training-tickets-71272647407?aff=ebapi

The Climate Bill has been published - finally! And the Government is launching a public consultation on what actions we need to do to reduce our emissions.

Join Stop Climate Chaos as we discuss these major two climate initiatives and identify opportunities to take action,

Register here or using the form below. 

Have you made plans to celebrate Earth Hour with your friends and family yet? Find your nearest Earth Hour event today, take part and discover the different ways you can take positive action for our shared home. ️Every voice, no matter how big or small, can help make a difference. Join the conversation today and tell us what you do to #Connect2Earth and help protect nature.

As Saturday 24th March, 8:30pm local time draws closer, make sure you're all set for your Earth Hour plans! Whether you're planning a cosy event with friends and family, or a bigger one with your colleagues, these toolkits will come in handy.

If you are hosting an event, get in touch with Ireland's Earth Hour ambassador in Shamrock Spring by emailing shamrockspring@gmail.com. In any social media, make sure to add #EarthHourIrl to your message!

Climate change is here. The time for action is now. But governments are still pushing fossil gas. Why? And what can we do about it?

We now know that fossil gas is just as lethal for our world as oil or coal. But governments across Europe want more investment in fossil gas projects such as the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, the MidCat pipeline in Spain and France, and Ireland’s Shannon LNG. Why is fossil gas still being termed a cleaner ‘transition fuel’? And how do we respond?

This June, leading environmental campaigner Andy Gheorghiu comes to Ireland to talk about how we can transition without this dangerous ‘transition fuel’, adapt to change and develop resilience, locally and globally. Andy has been leading the campaign against the proposed building of Shannon LNG, a processing plant for imported fracked gas in the Shannon Estuary.

Andy brings the latest science, thought leadership and strategies for action. This is what changes means in 2018.Expect contributions from guest speakers and local group Not Here, Not Anywhere, refreshments and lively discussion at this unmissable talk.

FaceBook event here.

Webinar with The Gastivists Collective

2nd October 12-1pm CEST / Why gas is bad

> how gas impacts our climate

> how gas is extracted, transported and how it impacts communities around the world

> the tricks of the gas industry

For who? People that are new to gas and want to understand what is all the fuss about it

Register

Registration is compulsory by following this link (http://bit.do/gaswebinar).

You can register for all, or only one single webinar.

We will send you an email with the logistical details on how to join and a reminder a week before the webinar.

Share

Please feel free to share this emails with your allies and friends.

You can also  retweet and share on facebook.

Fracking in the Eagle Ford Shale poisons the air and water in rural Texas. Pipelines cut across ranches and communities, and proposed export facilities near South Padre Island threaten the state’s last clean beaches and bays.

For what? So foreign banks in France and fossil fuel companies in Texas can make more profits by selling fracked gas to countries like Ireland.

An international coalition of US and European activists has formed to call attention to how the fracking industry in Texas has global consequences.

From Friday, April 27 to Tuesday, May 1, activists in Texas, New York City, France, Germany, and Ireland will host #BreakTheFrackingCycle demonstrations. Each day of action will correspond to a different phase in the fracked gas cycle: business, extraction, export, financing and import.

Join Not Here Not Anywhere on Tuesday May 1st from 7pm for what's sure to be an informative, inspiring event.

Facebook event here.

Gas is a fossil fuel. The narrative around gas being a 'bridge fuel' is simply dangerous and needs to be debunked once and for all. Learn all about the issue, taking action and showing solidarity this October with this exciting webinar programme with the Gastivists Collective!

16th October 2.30pm-4pm CEST/ International solidarity; fighting gas around the world

A deep dive of the resistance against gas around the world : Latin America, North America, Africa, Europe, Asia & an interactive discussion on international solidarity

For who? Everyone!

Register

Registration is compulsory by following this link (http://bit.do/gaswebinar).

You can register for all, or only one single webinar.

We will send you an email with the logistical details on how to join and a reminder a week before the webinar.

Share

Please feel free to share this emails with your allies and friends.

You can also  retweet and share on facebook.

Join Stop Climate Chaos as we team up with DU Snowsports, TCD EnviroSoc, Trinity ZooSoc, Trinity Surf, Conservation Soc, TCD Fossil Free, and TCD Plastic Solutions on Saturday September 8th to talk about one big thing that affects us all.

Climate change is here, it's a problem, and we should do something about it...but what exactly should we be doing? All summer we've seen record breaking temperatures all around the world, and right at home here in Ireland. We're seeing some progress (Fossil Fuel divestment anyone?), but we can do a lot more. 

On September 8th, cities, states, businesses and civil society from around the world are gathering in California for the Global Climate Action Summit. Thats same day, thousands of actions will take place all across the world as part of Rise for Climate (https://riseforclimate.org/) demanding that our local leaders commit to building a fossil fuel free world that puts people and justice before profits. 

The Summit has invited every mayor, governor, and local leader in the world to make a bold climate commitment to help the world reach the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, and so presents a unique opportunity to pressure local governments and institutions to raise their ambition and do more for climate action.

Let's respond by showing them that we demand a fast, fair and just transition to 100% renewable energy and an immediate end to new fossil fuel projects.

A map of the actions taking place across the globe on Saturday

So if you want to get involved, come along to this conference/bit of a party to celebrate how far we have come and to learn how far we have to go. It will truly be an event to remember. Come all day or just for a couple of hours, the doors are open and entry is free. 

Schedule:

10:30-11:00 Coffee and tea reception
11:00-11:30 Introduction to the issues with Stop Climate Chaos
11:30-12:00 Townhall
12:00-13:00 World Café with Concern Worldwide 
13:00-14:00 Picnic lunch
14:00-14:45 Speaker 1 
14:55-15:40 Speaker 2
16:00-16:45 Speaker 3 
16:45-17:00 Closing remarks
18:00-close Celebrate at the Pav!

What's more, there will be a number of groups there on the day to talk to you about how to get involved with climate activism in Ireland, such as Not Here Not Aywhere, Young Friends of the Earth, Trócaire who spearheaded the national campaign to take public funds out of fossil fuels, the Dublin Ecofeminist Collective and many more!

RSVP and get more Trinity Rise Up for Climate details here.

Register here:

https://actionnetwork.org/events/building-resilience-through-movement-and-play

This is an experiential, practical skills workshop aimed at youth activists (between the ages of 18 and 35) for building resilience to sustain activism for social and environmental justice.

This workshop will draw on Joanna Macy's ‘Work that Reconnects / Active Hope’, a framework to help us connect with our emotional response to crises and move forward with renewed perspectives and tools for resilience. We will also be taking inspiration from Adrienne Maree Brown's 'Pleasure Activism', which explores the politics of feeling good and advocates for pleasure and joy in activism.

How do we sustain our actions and remain hopeful when things get tough?

How can we recognise signals of burnout and anxiety so we can respond adequately?

How can we foster pleasure activism and active hope as important elements in our groups, spaces and actions?

Join us for an afternoon of reflective practices for understanding emotional response, focusing into our bodies through gentle yoga and meditation and also letting loose to enjoy ourselves through play.

This will be an exploratory session of listening and sharing to discover ways to rebuild and re-ignite. Please bring your own lived and learned experience!

The workshop will be facilitated by Claudia Tormey and Miriam Needham who are both trained and experienced Active Hope facilitators. Miriam is also a yoga teacher, theatre maker and professional clown. Both Claudia and Miriam have been involved in movement and activism from environmental justice to reproductive rights.

*Unfortunately this venue is not wheelchair accessible, there are stairs to climb.

Register here:

https://actionnetwork.org/events/emotional-resilience-toolkit-for-climate-activists

This workshop will provide attendees with a range of useful tools n practices to support them in developing greater resilience against eco-anxiety, grief and the range of feelings that accompany climate activist work. This work has been developed by a collective of psychotherapists in the US is designed to provide resources to support those who feel sometimes overwhelmed by the climate crisis

The day will include much opportunity for discussion and exercises, and a review of practices designed to help build emotional resilience, promote self care and make room for the safe expression of eco-grief and anxiety.

If you have any queries and wish to speak to me in advance please don't hesitate to contact me - grainne.carr@gmail.com

I look forward to supporting Climate Activists who attend this training in developing a life enhancing understanding of this skill set.

If you have any queries and wish to speak to me in advance please don't hesitate to contact me - grainne.carr@gmail.com

Fed up with the government's inaction on climate change?

So are we!

Join a host of environmental and social justice groups to send a clear message to our leaders that we need real action now.

Last Wednesday the IPCC Report told us that we have just 12 years to tackle climate change. Ireland is among the highest contributors to climate change in Europe.

Failure to act on climate is a failure to protect our basic human rights. We cannot accept this any longer.

It's time to stand up and demand action before it's too late.

Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/153600878927557/

Register here:

https://actionnetwork.org/events/creating-cohesiveness-in-activist-groups

Whilst Activist Groups can start with lots of enthusiasm and positivity there can be challenges in maintaining a culture which is inclusive, communicates effectively and communicates kindly.  

Awareness of power differentials, group dynamics, types of conflict and how to deal with them are all useful to preempt difficult situations from arising.

This 4 hour workshop will be an overview of these particular concepts and, will allow for discussion within the Clare and surrounding Activist Community in how to deal with communication challenges that may arise in Activist groups.

This is also an opportunity for Activists from a variety of different working groups to come together and share their views so that all can benefit from the vast experience and knowledge within the room.

I look forward to seeing you there and facilitating the evening for you. Any questions in the interim please don't hesitate to contact me - grainne.carr@gmail.com

Humanists West will host the July event at the Salthill Hotel on Sunday July 1st.

Guest speakers will be environmental scientist Dr Cara Augustenborg, environmental writer John Gibbons, and Ken Keavey.

There will be an informal meeting/lunch in the hotel for those of you who wish to meet up with some fellow humanists from 12.30. Registration begins at 13.30 for the symposium, to start at 14.00, concluding at 15.45. Named by Image magazine recently as one of 18 “women to watch” in 2018, Cara lectures in Climate Change and Environment at UCD. She is also Head of Science, Communications & Fundraising for Friends of the Earth Ireland, and this year launched the 'Down To Earth' slot on Newstalk's “Hard Shoulder” with Ivan Yates. Cara was appointed by Minister Denis Naughten as an advisor to Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency in 2016 and to the first National Dialogue on Climate Action in 2017. Her blog, ‘The Verdant Yank’ gives her take on green issues from an Irish-American perspective and was awarded Ireland’s best political and current affairs blog in 2016.

John Gibbons is a specialist environmental writer and commentator with a strong focus on Climate Change. He wrote a weekly column in the Irish Times on climate change for nearly three years, and is now a regular contributor on TV, radio and in print, both nationally and internationally, on environment, energy, biodiversity and climate-related issues. He is also a regular contributor to The Guardian (UK), DeSmog (UK), Village magazine, Phoenix magazine and The Irish Examiner, as well as RTE radio, TodayFM and NewsTalk. He maintains a blog at ThinkorSwim.ie and tweets regularly @think_or_swim A graduate of UCC and DCU, he co-founded and runs a healthcare publishing and creative company in Dun Laoghaire, where he is married and is dad to two teenagers.

Ken Keavey started Green Earth Organics box delivery scheme in 2006 with his wife Jenny. Their organic farm is situated 8 miles from Galway city, on land that was originally his grandfather's and then his father's. The farm was converted to organic in 2004 and is currently made up of 25 acres of certified organic land and another 10 acres is split between a wild life biodiversity area, native woodland forestry (3000 trees) and red clover/grassland. There are also 3 ducks, 2 dogs and 2 donkeys!

Register here:

https://actionnetwork.org/events/connected-conversations-how-to-stay-cool-when-talking-about-hot-topics

Our planet stands at a critical time with climate chaos unfolding, and disaster capitalism causing extreme environmental damage. Many climate campaigners are feeling stressed and anxious about the future.

Often passion and frustration about the issues that they are campaigning on means that activists find it difficult to get their message across to people who do not see the crisis the way that they do. When they try to talk about difficult issues they can often end up lecturing or getting stressed or angry, which means that the conversation doesn’t go anywhere and both can end up more entrenched in their own positions.

This also happens within organising, when some activists can get lost arguing amongst themselves about the best way of achieving change.

We must reach out to people beyond our echo chamber and build allies and friends across whole sections of our society. To break through the noise of social media it is time to take an important step towards creating the will to act in people and communities – by connecting with each other in kind, meaningful and persuasive conversations.

Join Aisling Cowan, Therapist and long term nature campaigner as she shares her skills and knowledge in communication.

THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO...
1. Know techniques and understandings to stay cool and calm when people are not hearing your message
2. Understand the rules of connection & compassion and how better to connect with the person you are talking to
3. Develop understanding and self awareness in your approach
4. Increase your confidence when approaching people on streets and doorsteps and when talking to friends and family.

This is a free training suitable for climate activists and other campaigners funded by Friends of the Earth Ireland. A course will also be run in Belfast on 20th October.

You must book your ticket and confirm your place in order to attend.
This workshop will have 15-20 people in attendance and will be very interactive.
Sunday 20th 10am until 4pm with break for lunch at 12.30pm

Join DRESS TO PROTEST: an evening of poster making, creative reuse and upcycling workshops for the global climate strike on September 20th.

On the 20th of September people across the world will take to the streets for the biggest Global Climate Strike yet! You don't have to call yourself an activist, but it's time for action! Why not join us on Wednesday 18th from 6pm-8.30 for a space to meet other like minded individuals and get creative ahead of the climate strike.

This FREE and family friendly event is brought to you by Climate Case Ireland / Swapsies / FOE and will take place in the Tara Building, Dublin 2. Doors open at 6pm and upcycling workshops led by the lovely team of Swapsies will run from 6:30 - 8:30.

Our aim is to help you create / decorate posters, banners & outfits ahead of the Global Climate Strike. We have collected over 100 Green High Vis Jackets from FOE Ireland and we need your help to repurpose them! You are welcome to also provide your own materials, for instance old t-shirts that you would like to upcycle.

Refreshments will be served on the night and if you want to take part in this drop in event, we ask that you register via eventbrite so that we have an idea of numbers on the night. This is a free event, donations are welcomed.

Hoping to see you there!

Climate Case Ireland x Swapsies x Friends of the Earth Ireland

Register here:

https://actionnetwork.org/events/resilient-movement-building-active-hope

This will be a series of 5 workshops for people to explore their collective grief in theses turbulent times and develop resilient, mindful and collaborative responses to the climate crisis. Using Joanna Macy's The Work that Reconnects, we aim to re-frame our pain for the world (whether its fear, grief, outrage or despair) as compassion or 'suffering-with', and find ways forward that honor this pain.

This series of workshops will run over five weeks in November and December; Thursday the 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th of November and December the 5th, and will take place in Nuns Island Theater, Galway.

"In the face of overwhelming social and ecological crises, this work helps people transform despair and apathy into constructive, collaborative action. It brings a new way of seeing the world as our larger living body. This perspective frees us from the assumptions and attitudes that now threaten the continuity of life on Earth." - Joanna Macy, 2018

The Climate Emergency Measures Bill 2017 [1] will be debated in the Dáil on 7th February, and seeks to put an end to new licences for offshore drilling for fossil fuels, in light of the fact that we are facing a climate emergency. After the fracking and divestment bills, this bill is the logical next step for Ireland's transition towards clean, renewable energy. The bill will also protect the Irish fishing industry against hugely damaging and rarely profitable offshore drilling practices, and will allow us to stand in solidarity with the world's poorest people who are already feeling the devastating effects of climate change.

Please join us in front of the Dáil (Kildare Street side) in support of the Bill at 1pm on February 7th. Bring banners and posters, bring your loudest voices and bring your passion for climate justice. If you can, join us in the Dáil gallery to watch the debate unfold (just please let us know in advance so we can put your name on the list of attendees, email meaghan@stopclimatechaos.ie). If you cannot attend the action but would like to stand in solidarity, you can email your TDs to ask them to support the bill using this simple tool and customisable template.

 https://www.stopclimatechaos.ie/takeaction/urge-your-tds-to-support-the-climate-emergency-measures-bill/

[1] Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2017 https://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=37204&&CatID=59

The Government has promised a new, stronger, Climate Bill within its first 100 days.

As the clock ticks down to the October 5th deadline, join Stop Climate Chaos for a webinar to discuss what must be in the new bill and where the law fits in the broader push for faster and fairer climate action.

Stop Climate Chaos policy coordinator, Sadhbh O’Neill, will be joined by Oisín Coghlan, Director of Friends of the Earth, and Dr. Diarmuid Torney,  Assistant Professor at the DCU School of Law and Government.

This training session, by Activist Legal Support Ireland, will teach you how to observe and record Garda/activist interactions at protests.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/legal-observer-training-tickets-71277072643?aff=ebapi

There's a local One Future climate group in your area looking for people to get active with them!

Join our online kick-off event on Monday 16th November where you'll get to meet people in your area who want to take action on climate.

The event will start at 5.30pm and finish at 6.45pm.

During the event you'll also hear about an exciting campaign to get over 1000 people across Ireland to meet their TDs to talk about climate action. You can register for the kick off event by clicking here - or by filling out the form below. 

We hope to see you on Monday!

Climate change is here. The time for action is now. But governments are still pushing fossil gas. Why? And what can we do about it?

We now know that fossil gas is just as lethal for our world as oil or coal. But governments across Europe want more investment in fossil gas projects such as the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, the MidCat pipeline in Spain and France, and Ireland’s Shannon LNG. Why is fossil gas still being termed a cleaner ‘transition fuel’? And how do we respond?

This June, leading environmental campaigner Andy Gheorghiu comes to Ireland to talk about how we can transition without this dangerous ‘transition fuel’, adapt to change and develop resilience, locally and globally. Andy has been leading the campaign against the proposed building of Shannon LNG, a processing plant for imported fracked gas in the Shannon Estuary.

Andy brings the latest science, thought leadership and strategies for action. This is what changes means in 2018.Expect contributions from guest speakers and local group Not Here, Not Anywhere, refreshments and lively discussion at this unmissable talk.

FaceBook event here.

We're always using the term "climate justice" but what does it really mean?

Join us for a casual discussion group. We will watch some short videos on the topic and discuss together what they mean for how we take action on climate change here in Ireland.

This will be a welcoming event for us all to learn together.

List of short videos to follow. Register here or via the form below. 

Support the Climate Strike Movement!

It's a Climate Emergency.

And on September 20th, we're filling the streets.

On Friday the 15th of March 2019 1.6 million people took part in a global climate strike in more than 125 countries in more than 2,000 locations. In Ireland more than 15,000 students [1] took part in protests for urgent climate action. This September 20th, we're going to smash this number. But we need people who care about taking action on climate to be part of it. If you can, read on.

What can I do?

1. Join a Student-led March!

School-age students have self-organised marches around the country and they need you to attend. Check here and here for details or consult the table below which we will update until September 20th. If you’re able, take the day or some time and attend one of these student-led marches!

• Dublin: Gathering 12:00 at Customs House, marching at 12:30 to Merrion Sq., rallying 13:00 - 14:00 at Merrion Sq. in front of Govt. buildings
• Cork City: Gathering on Grand Parade St. from 12:00, marching at 12:20.
• Kerry (Tralee): Meet at County Buildings, Ratass, at 9am
• Clare (Ennis): Meet at The Height, O’Connell Square at 9am
• Drogheda: Demonstrating from 13:00 outside St. Peters's Church, West St.
• Galway: Demonstrating from 13:00 - 16:00 in Eyre Square
• Navan: Demonstrating from 13:00 - 15:00 at the Market Square
• Limerick: Marching from Arthur's Quay Park at 13:00, finishing at City Hall.
• Dundalk: Demonstrating from 12:30 - 15:00 in the Market Square
• Kenmare: Demonstrating from 9:00 - 13:00 outside the Courthouse

What if I can't attend one of those marches?

2. Host an event in your university, workplace or neighbourhood!

If you can't attend, you can join the 60+ supportive adults who are organising support and solidarity actions across the country. It's really easy to do so.

1. Add your action to the map below by clicking 'host action' and inputting the details
2. Our volunteer support team will be in touch with you before September 20th to assist you
3. Share this page with your friends, family and colleagues and get planning and recruiting attendees!

https://www.stopclimatechaos.ie/campaigns/support-the-climate-strike-movement/

3. Steward the Dublin march!

Sign up here to steward the Dublin march

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While the school strike movement is student led, the climate crisis affects all of us. Everyone is invited & everyone is needed.

P.S. We've made it super easy for you to plan an action, get into the local press, recruit a team of helpers and make sure people show up! All the resources you need to carry out a super support event are here.

[1] https://www.stopclimatechaos.ie/news/2019/03/16/irish-newspaper-coverage-of-the-schoolstrike4clima/

Join FFTCD to learn all about how you (if you're a student!) can get involved in environmental activism!

This NVDA training event is for environmental and social justice activists. It covers non-violent direct action, action planning, protest and the law, affinity group formation and de-escalation techniques.

We use a mixture of discussion groups, role-plays and power-point presentations to get people thinking about and planning for how they might participate in mass civil disobedience and direct action.

Extinction Rebellion is a peaceful movement addressing the climate crisis through non violent direct action (NVDA).

Please bring food to share for lunch.

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This training is partly supported by Friends of the Earth through The Wheel's Training Links project.

On the eve of the first of two weekends where the 100 citizens of the Citizens' Assembly will meet to deliberate upon 'How Ireland can be a Leader on Climate', we will decorate a solitary tree on Coast Road, Malahide, with colourful ribbons and messages of support to the 100 citizens who are part of a ground-breaking, historic process.

The next court mention regarding Climate Case Ireland will be 10.45am on Tuesday 5 June. Recap of timeline: case commenced October 2017; Government filed its opposition papers in February 2018; Friends of the Irish Environment filed its reply in April 2018. 

It might surprise you to know that, despite a Government target of 10% of trips by bike by 2020, the funding for cycling has actually decreased in the last few years, while the number of people cycling is up and up. Cycling currently only gets approximately 2% of road transport funding. That is why we, together with our colleagues in the Cyclist.ie network, recently made a pre-budget submission calling for a minimum of 10% of the road transport budget to be allocated to cycling. We included 10 compelling reasons for investing in cycling and outlined our priorities for how the funding should be allocated, with cycling infrastructure being top of the list.

This pre-budget submission is intended not just to influence Budget 2019 but also to launch a sustained lobbying campaign with the intention of making #Allocate4Cycling an issue in the next General Election. To this end we need the support of TD's across the political spectrum to ensure better funding for cycling. And this is where you come in! The best way for voluntary organisations to influence political decision-making is via direct contact with our TD's. We are asking you, if at all possible, to call in to the clinics of your TD's (of all parties) and ask them to support our pre-budget submission. A handy summary of the pre-budget submission to print and leave with the TD's is available here. If you don't have time to meet your TD’s in person, the next best option is to phone him/her and if you can’t manage that then email them to ask for their support.

The contact details for the TD's are here. Do raise your own cycling related issues too, whether that's an injury, close pass, poor infrastructure, whatever. Remember personal stories are very powerful, think about the impact Orla Tinsley or Vicky Phelan have had in the political sphere.

We will be having an official launch of the campaign at 11.15am on 20th September in Buswell’s Hotel on Molesworth Street. Ask your TDs to come along and show their support for you, their constituent, who wants to cycle safely from A to B.

We plan to track all positive and negative TD responses to #Allocate4Cycling so do email us to let us know what your TD's response was info@dublincycling.ie

Register here:

https://actionnetwork.org/events/practical-skills-for-facilitating-climate-action-groups-cork

Facilitating meetings, or simply being in attendance at a facilitated meeting requires a certain set of skills. During this workshop we'll look at the skills required, including having some practice time to increase your confidence as either a facilitator or as an attendee at Climate Action Groups.

At the end of this training, you will leave: Understanding what facilitation is and what facilitation is not; the difference between  facilitation and chairing Feeling more confident facilitating a room of people Capable of bringing a group to consensus Able to defuse conflict that arises in a group setting Equipped with standard tools to use in group facilitation settings
This training is an opportunity for Activists from all groups in Cork and surrounding counties to come together for the day for upskilling, for discussion, perhaps within practice sessions even to facilitate the first steps towards the co-creation of some new actions.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me - grainne.carr@gmail.com